Question:
What's the difference in coverage between a dentist, and an oral surgeon?
And sor for adv if pollitically charged.
Also the local surgeury card lists both a "D.M.D." and a "D.D.S., M.D" -
what's the difference betweent the two.
because consult with the oral surgeoun seemed like a scene from Jacobs
ladder. Oh never mind - I guess I'll try to go to sleep now..
Answer:
General dentist does all sorts of dental procedures. Surgery is part of the
practice, but not usually the major part of it. Oral surgeon only does oral
surgery.
The DMD and the DDS degrees are both equal. Some schools issue one, while
other schools issue the other. Many (not all) oral surgeons have dual
degrees and have the MD degree as well.
In my case, my dentist referred my to the oral surgeon to have my wisdom
teeth removed. So I suppose that some dentists don't do surgery at all,
and/or they are not equipped to do it? To me, as a patient, it makes sense
that someone who only does dental surgery will likely do a a better job
with the extraction, and conversly, a dentist who _doesn't_ get involved
with surgery might likely do a better job with the non-surgical issues. Am
I on the right track here?
Is a dentist sort of the dentistry equivalent to the "general
practitioner"? A kind of quarterback
who is good at doing general evaluations, but then delegates to surgeons,
endodontists, etc, as appropriate?
But how much about dentistry do they know other than the specific
mechanics of the surgery? In part what brings up my question is this:
Dentist decided that my wisdom teeth should eventually by extracted
prophylactially, and suggested I make an appointment with an oral surgeon
for a consulatation.
Coincidentally, in the weekend before the appointment, I developed pain in
the general area of one of the wisdom teeth. Called dentist, thinking that
he would be the one who should diagnose what was going on. Instead, he
suggested that I make an emergency appointment with the surgeon. Saw the
surgeon, who diagnosed gum imflamation, and prescribed prophy Amoxicillon,
and Chlorhedadine rinse (sorry for the mispells).
Now, 60 hours later, pain is worse and has spread out to my front gums,
the roof of my mouth and sinuses.
So the question now, is who do I follow up with - the surgeon or my
dentist?
an oral surgeon is a dentist with 3-6 years of additional training in surgery
after dental school.
your general dentist is the quarterback and he should be sure you are being
well cared for the surgeon. the general dentist still has responsibility for
your care even if you've been referred.
since the oral surgeon has started you on a regime of tx, you should call there
today and ask to be seen today. if he can't see you or is not in town today,
call the general dentist and ask him what to do--should he see you or find
another oral surgeon to see you.
while all of this tends to overlap, most general dentists feel better in having
patients managed by the oral surgeon for both the technical aspect of wisdom
tooth extractions and the management of infections--what is the best course,
best antibiotic, etc.
